China-UAE Air Mobility: Falcon Aviation Services Locks in 50 eVTOL Deliveries, All You Need to Know

A pivotal agreement for the future of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in the Middle East was recently announced, establishing a forthcoming fleet of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the United Arab Emirates. The procurement of 50 eVTOL aircraft was finalized between Falcon Aviation Services and China-based manufacturer AutoFlight, marking a significant commitment to sustainable aviation technology in the region. The deal, which was officially formalized on October 27, was reported to encompass a mixed fleet, including 15 V2000CG CarryAll cargo models and 35 V2000EM Prosperity passenger aircraft. Deliveries of the 50-strong fleet are set to begin by the end of 2025, according to the announcement.

Strategic Deployment and Regional Impact

The deployment strategy for the first tranche of aircraft was also outlined, focusing on critical infrastructure needs within the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It was detailed that the initial batch of eVTOLs is planned for deployment to service the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). This application represents a significant milestone, as the move will establish one of the region’s first large-scale uses of eVTOL systems within the energy sector. A strong foundation for accelerating the adoption of low-altitude air mobility is thereby expected to be laid with this established delivery schedule.

The partnership was underscored by Falcon Aviation Services CEO Captain Raman Oberoi, who was quoted as saying the collaboration represented a significant milestone toward sustainable regional air mobility. The CEO further emphasized the established delivery timeline, adding that it will be instrumental in accelerating the adoption of low-altitude air mobility. Such a large-scale commercial application for the eVTOL technology is widely recognized as a crucial step toward validating the operational and economic viability of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions.

Cargo Variant Certification Milestones Achieved

Crucially, the certification status of the two acquired models must be considered, as regulatory approvals dictate operational timelines. The V2000CG CarryAll cargo model has already secured world-first distinctions within the ton-class eVTOL category. It was confirmed that the aircraft became the world’s first ton-class eVTOL to have been granted all three primary airworthiness certificates—namely Type, Production and Airworthiness—by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

These critical approvals were conferred by the CAAC during 2024 and 2025. Consequently, the aircraft was recognized as the first of its specific weight class to be fully certified for design, manufacturing and operation. These regulatory successes were further cemented by operational achievements. The completion of the world’s first offshore oil platform flight using the CarryAll was also recently achieved in collaboration with partners CNOOC and CITIC Offshore Helicopter. This offshore application demonstrates the operational robustness and specialized use-case capability that will be harnessed by Falcon Aviation Services for ADNOC.

Passenger Model Status and UAE Regulatory Outlook

Conversely, the status of the V2000EM Prosperity passenger variant remains distinct from that of the certified cargo model. The passenger aircraft was noted as still being subjected to verification testing and had yet to secure the requisite certification for passenger operations.

Furthermore, the transfer of certification from China to the United Arab Emirates will be subject to a separate process. It was specified that separate validation is required under the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) before passenger services can commence. The GCAA was recently reported to have issued what were described as the world’s first hybrid air mobility regulations, an action that lays essential groundwork for future eVTOL operations and the development of necessary vertiport infrastructure. However, it was confirmed that no AutoFlight-specific approvals have yet been announced by the UAE regulator.

Market Readiness and Future Trajectory

In the context of the global AAM market, the projected delivery timeline has been observed. It was suggested that delivery of the cargo aircraft within the current year might be achievable due to its advanced certification status. However, the commencement of passenger deliveries was indicated as dependent upon regulatory progress and operational readiness within Abu Dhabi’s developing Advanced Air Mobility framework.

The overall industry landscape was also referenced, noting that China’s EHang currently remains the only company to have gained approval for commercial passenger eVTOL flights. Other major industry participants, such as Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation and Vertical Aerospace, were noted as still being engaged in their respective testing and certification phases. Earlier developmental milestones for the manufacturer were also recalled, noting that a proof-of-concept transition test was completed by AutoFlight back in 2022. At that time, it was further stated that the company had aimed to be fully certified in Europe by the close of 2025. This 50-unit agreement represents a significant step in realizing the global commercial ambitions of the China-based eVTOL developer.

Image- falconaviation.ae

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